PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release:
November 30, 2023
For more information:
Rob Goulding, DPW Public Information Manager
Anna McMahon, Associate Director, Feeding Chittenden
Burlington’s 3rd Annual ‘Fines for Food’ Kicks Off!
DPW & Feeding Chittenden Continue the Partnership in the Fight Against Food Insecurity
Burlington, VT – For the third straight year, the Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW) is partnering with Feeding Chittenden during the Holiday Season to fight food insecurity.
From November 24th through December 31st, 2023, the Department of Public Works’ Parking Services team will donate half of all overdue parking tickets paid to Feeding Chittenden – Vermont's largest emergency food provider. Since the program’s inception in 2021, the City of Burlington has been able to donate nearly $80K to Feeding Chittenden.
“Feeding Chittenden is a vital partner to the City of Burlington, providing critical support to people and families who require food assistance, particularly those that are unsheltered,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “As we head into the holiday season and cold winter months, battling food insecurity will be a community effort. This creative Fines for Food program allows Burlingtonians and visitors to simultaneously support essential City services while contributing to Feeding Chittenden’s efforts to provide our most vulnerable community members with healthy and nutritious food.”
“We are incredibly thankful for this ongoing partnership with the Department of Public Works and their innovative approach to fighting hunger in our community,” said Rob Meehan, Director of Feeding Chittenden. “Through Fines for Foods, we will continue to be able to feed a growing number of food insecure Vermonters, including older adults, people with disabilities, and children.”
“Although Chittenden County is considered one of the healthiest in Vermont, over 10% of our community members, many of them children, are food insecure, an unnecessary truth and one that should be unacceptable to all of us. As a caring and giving community, food insecurity is a challenge that we can address,” said City Council President Karen Paul. “I am grateful to the combined efforts of the amazing Parking Services team at DPW and the important work of Feeding Chittenden. I hope that there will come a time when this program is no longer needed either because the city has no overdue fines or food insecurity is a truth of the past. Much as I would hope for the former, it is my hope that the latter comes first.”
“The Fines for Food Program is one important way that DPW advances its mission to serve the community,” said DPW Director Chapin Spencer. “We need your help again this year. If you owe any overdue fines, now is the time to pay! We're pleased to partner with a critical community-focused organization in Feeding Chittenden and give back to those in our community who need assistance the most.”
Overdue parking tickets can be paid online at www.burlingtonvt.gov/parking or by stopping by the Parking Services office at 645 Pine Street during business hours (8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday). For those unsure if they have a ticket, or how much they owe, visit the parking portal above and enter your license plate information to find out.
For those who have no overdue fines, but wish to contribute to Feeding Chittenden, you are encouraged to visit https://feedingchittenden.org/.
EXPANDED HOURS FOR SAFETY
In 2021, DPW completed its reorganization of Parking Services to create a one-stop-shop for all parking needs. The new Parking Services Office has placed an emphasis on safety, equity and the customer experience. Recently, Parking Services has expanded its hours which helps ensure safety violations – like blocked hydrants, driveways or ADA spaces – can be attended to much more quickly. You can reach someone Monday – Saturday from 7AM-11PM and on Sundays from 7AM-3PM. Outside of these times, BPD Dispatch can also be reached for urgent enforcement needs.
FREE PARKING!
Don’t forget, every Friday and Saturday this Holiday Season, get 2 Hours of Free Parking when you use ParkMobile! Download the App on your phone or use the WebApp at parkmobile.io.
With nearly three-thousand downtown spaces, there is room for you in Burlington.
Questions on Fines for Food?
Contact Jackie Esperti, Division Director of Parking & Traffic, at JEsperti@burlingtonvt.gov or call the Parking Services office at 802-540-2380.
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Feeding Chittenden is committed to providing food for everyone, creating community and cultivating opportunities. As the largest direct service emergency food provider in Vermont, Feeding Chittenden is a program of Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity and serves over 12,000 people each year through programs that include the food access center and network, home delivery, culinary job training, hot meals, and the Good Food Truck. Visit www.feedingchittenden.org for more information.
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